Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-21
CHANGE OF NAME.
TAE QUESTION IN TIE VIRGINIA
EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
An Address by Bishop Randolph-rhs Reg
ulsr Business Meeting Some
Interesting Statistics
Reported for the DIspatch.l

10 Win marked attention.
After referring 10 his authorities on which
his address was founded he discussed
/. Is Our Church Protestantf
He showed the gradual growth OF anu-Pro-
tcsiant continents In the Church. first, these
foreign ideas were accepted by sufIerance, and
afiorward they were accepted The first at
tempt 10 change the namo occurred nine years
ago, and was received with favor only by a
few, but at this last general conven-
ton received a majority OF tho clerical
vote. but was rejected by the lay deputies
The ardinal Newman In 1910 wrote tract No.
90, and really inaugurated this anti-PrOtostant
movement which to-day has such power In our
Church. His effort was 70 show how man
might remain In tho Church OF England and
accept hor standard and yet hold 70 anti-Pr0-
testant doctrines. After his secession 10 Rome
he said he could not see how any man could re-
main in the Church OF England and hold to
Romish practices.
II. The Ground on which the Attack 10 Made on
the Tenn (rOteStdnt.
They ASSERT the name Is a negation. Is has
lost it, distinctive meaning This Is the b)ld
assertion Of the Living Church Annual, which
IA on The table Of the majority Of the clorgy.
The anti-Protestant party also asserts that the
present name Is aBu-mts5iOnary. But this IL
not true, for Protestant ChristendOm gives
three fourths Of all contributed 10 the cause OF
missions by the whole Of Chrlstea1om, and this
To sey that the name Protestant Il a mega
don 70 no argument against II. for negation may
be tho highest form Of affirmation. g., the
decalOgue. Behind all the negations OF pro-
testatiOn are the positive afllrInaIiOns OF the
Gospel-such a. confess 70 God directly, the
forgive meas Of sin, the Word OF God, the stand
ard OF truth, &c.
III. Protestant Episcopal IL a Sccidridn Name,
and therefore Inpedes It's Progress.
This another argument brought forward by
hose who would change the name Of the
church. They think the title American Church
or Ike comprehensive name would advance tbs
Church.
". They Contend he Name is Untrue 10 The His
tCry Ct the Church.
This ia made in the face Of the fact that this
Church has borne this name since its first Or
ganiZ3tion a hundred years ago.
The organizers OF the Church chose the name
because they were true 10 Protestant principles,
asserted by tho anti-PrOtestants. There Is n
generation OF clergy moro numerous in
America than in England who arc opposed 20
Protestant principles.
The Bishop here eloquently referred 10 the
connection Of England with Protestant prin-
ciples. showing that the most brilliant periods
Of her history wero concdent with the pros
peTity Of Protestant principles; showing also
how great revolutions had grown out OF the
persistoncy with which tho nation had chung to
Professionalism.
Weheye no right to deny the validity OF the
orders Ct other orthodox Protestant bodies.
Even Cronmer did not deny their validity, but
merely said they could not receive the support
Of the State unless they confOFmed 10 the law
In regard 10 DO ordained.
Archbishop Land, In his last days, AYERS his
attachment 10 Protestant principles.
Rislop White WAS faithful 20 Protestantism.
All the organizers of our Church in America
rcpuds,c the "creed OF apostolical succes-
SION
Bishop Randolph here made eloquent refe-
renee TO Cianmer, who, with all his imperiec-
ticns, stands as the central figure in the Eng
Itch Reformation
Cranmcr gave his mastery powers to the Do
fence Of Protestant principles and his Doiy N
DE burnt in their Indication. The n1ti-Pro-
tes.ants. or Tractarians, Newman ana Pussy.
spent their strength In undoing the work Of
Cranmer The former wont 10 tho Church OF
Rome. 1reir followers, finding that they could
not change the standard Of the Church OF Eng
LAID, so what they could not teach by word
they taught by dramatic exhibition. They
bave,r as says Bishop Thirlwall. "set tho Pro-
tesiant communion Office In framing OF
ROmish ceremOnials."
The Bishop. in concluding said that the Pro-
testant Episcopal standards were based on tho
continental confessions OF faith, particularly
the Ausburg.
The Protestant is true TO his Church because
he believes its liturgies aud standards are true
10 lub W ora OF bOu ana tuO pfhtuc6S OF lUt
primitive Church. Therefore, not on feeling.
but on principle, must the Protestant cling 70
the present name. The American people DO
not love priests. Every claim is searchingly
investigated. A church is commended not for
what il says IL Is but for what il docs To nf-
feet the name "CathOlic" and unchurch other
denominations would widen the breach be.
tween our Church 9ld the people and result
IN reducing our communion TO foeDlo and
Insignificant body.
BUSINESS NETTING.
The c-uncn convened for business ut -
O'Clock NJ, Bishop white being in The
chair.
The minutes Of the preceding day were
read and adopted.
The report Of the committee sppOGted in
IA IS Oh reduction OF diocesan expenses and
cnl Getting funds for diocesan expenses be-
ing the order Of The Gay, now came up.
SuL' &c >hciiey, OF StiuntOn, said be had
desireL to have tAis made the order Of the
doy. tlIa he might consult the Committee
on Fipan &c. The Judge then read a report
from the Committee on Finance. The
were: 1T. that expenses be
/, ssencd, # possible, bv printing the jour
nal in cheaptr form; u, that the present
mode Of making assessment be not changed
SO, that the amount be charged on the con-
and co Elections I've made in full IN
instruments.
This clu.e pro yOked some discussion
on the part OF Mr. l.. NJ. Blckiord aud
Or. J. :. Hanckel, the latter fayorlng the
, lSiop OF the words Gin ftll"; and he
further said he did not think the plan felSi-
bic at anY rate, rs the constant repetition
of appeels would soon deieat the Obiect
aimed at by the committee.
Rev. Dr. Norton, favored allowing the
churches So elect to pay the assessment an
nrallv. lie further said that in forty years.
during winch he had had the privilege OF
this assessment to the treasurer
Of the CT ufch, he mad found It tie easiest
money o. collect.
DR.. p. Powers said he favored the Quar-
teIly pay mcnts.
Mr. Ro.ewelI Page, Of Danyille, slid lac
thought tie old plan best.
Drs. Powell, MInnigerode, and otheTs
srOke on the Sut'pct.
Rev. Frank Page moved thtt the thru
r, solution be laid on the tib!e. AZ were
MO CLAUSES relating ID the manner and
line OF payment.
Rev. Hr. Richard Davis read some Re>o-
lutIons accepted by the Piedmont eOnVocA-
hou. He referred 10 the great controversy
Going or i'm the Episcopal Church, and
after gn earnest address, sand he Thought
me effort 10 change the name OF the
Church was a revolutionary action, aud
II ought to be rebused by this TIE
f-si Virginia council since the meeting OF
tie General Convention. These resolu'
tons were as follows:
Whereas a proposition TO change the name
of the Protesiant Episcopal Church made in
IN. last General Convention, and received
much favor, gaining a large affirmative voto;
and whereas this movement 70 change thehalne
~ our Church was Initiated ana primarily
urged by men who disperago the Reformation,
ard have no sympathy with ProtestaAtlsin, ana
Who. In consistency, must advocate iurther
In the Book OF Common rIayei, ni. Va
which as il now stands, they DO not hesiiAto 70
exnress dissatisfaction therefore
Roeo{red That we arc determined not 10
abandon those Protestant principles Wnich arc
erabodied in our PFsyer-Bo0k. ana Whlch dIo'
IA we believe, taught in the Holy ScrlP-
lures, and that We cling to the name oy WIZ w,
tbsse principles arc distinctly declared; thai.
"a il is . change In the Prayer-Book llsen' W.
regard the alteration proposed az OUTSIDE the
legitimate powers Of the General ConNbnuoh
aid we consider Is a little, If az al, snort Of
revolution. tending 10 involve the Chutcn III
q Iecord and strife, and 20 unsettlo the ulIe 70
our church property. -. ,..,o.. NJ, 4,
and gnyielding opposluOh 70 .he
csange thus proposed, and we aIlInl tna ", We
will not as O diOcease, give our assent W VIC
.or1issIon Of the word Protestant" ehy more
than of the word Episcopal" IRON tho nsn i
~ our Church or the title Of our Preyer-Book.
Protestant Episcopal We are ana rro'eS'"n
Episcopal we in,end TO roman.
a 1. hl